23 Nov 2004

American Samoa Development Bank President denies resignation rumours

11:24 am on 23 November 2004

The Acting President of the Development Bank of American Samoa, Utu Abe Malae, says he is not resigning from the bank.

Utu labeled as a fabrication claims that he had resigned over pressure from the governor to issue a loan to a voter who had defected from the Afoa Taeaoafua camp to the administration.

He said he is not leaving the bank and added that he has a lot of work to do there.

Utu said he is not considering any job offers though he acknowledged that he had been approached to be part of a utility management team in the region but had turned down the offer as he is too busy.

Utu, who headed the American Samoa Power Authority for more than 10 years, was handpicked by Governor Togiola Tulafono for the Development Bank job a few months ago in September.

The bank has been mired in controversy following media reports of millions of dollars in loans issued to former and present directors and employees of the bank.